Just west of Downtown Nashville, you’ll find a cozy oasis of historic bungalows, mature trees, and family-run neighborhood shops. Sylvan Park is home to a diverse range of people who appreciate the neighborhood’s laidback and health-conscious vibe, from millennial newcomers to established Nashville families. Here are five reasons to make your move to the Park.

Location

Sylvan Park neighborhood in Nashville

If Sylvan Park feels like its own little town, it’s because it nearly was: This was one of Nashville’s streetcar suburbs in the early 1900s, and its vibe as a respite from the busy city has remained intact. Today, residents enjoy the convenience of being just a few miles down I-40 from the city center without having to put up with downtown rents, noise, and traffic. Their proximity to the I-440 downtown bypass loop gives them even more options to avoid traffic and cut commute times.

The Nature

Edwin Warner Park sign photo courtesy of Peg Duthie

Another perk of being on the western edge of Nashville is easy access to some of the city’s best parks. Edwin and Percy Warner Parks, collectively called Warner Parks, in the Belle Meade suburb are just five miles from Sylvan Park. Here you’ll find some of the city’s best hiking, birdwatching, and mountain biking in a beautiful 3,000-plus-acre forest. Miles of trails and scenic roadways are open to hikers, bikers, nature lovers, and horseback riders, and the illusion of seclusion makes it hard to believe you’re not deep in the mountains when you’re exploring the parks. Edwin and Percy Warner Parks are popular with folks from all over Nashville, but Sylvan Park residents are especially lucky to have this urban greenspace in their backyards.

The Healthy Lifestyle

Richland Creek Greenway photo courtesy of Rex Hammock

Besides parks, Sylvan Park residents have a lot of options when it comes to exercise and being outdoors. The neighborhood has one of the best community centers in town at McCabe Park, which has a full fitness center, exercise classes, running track, and sports programs all available for a modest membership (as opposed to having to drive all the way to Green Hills for the nearest YMCA). McCabe Park also has a 27-hole golf course and driving range voted the best in the city by Nashville Scene readers. Also, the Richland Creek Greenway includes almost four miles of paved track and bridges along the scenic waterway that connects Sylvan Park to shopping areas on White Bridge Pike and Harding Road. On any given day, you’ll see a mix of hardcore runners, parents with strollers, children, and retirees walking on the path or playing in the creek.

The Homes

Homes in the Sylvan Park neighborhood

Sylvan Park is full of adorable historic homes from bungalows to cottages. With a median home price of $493,750, according to Neighborhoods.com data, prices are on par with the rest of Nashville—and rising—but if you’re looking for a home with character, classic architecture, and a full lawn, you’d do well to search here. Ultramodern “tall skinnies”—two or more houses crowded on a single lot that tower over their neighbors, loathed by locals—are making inroads here, but historic streets are holding strong.

The Food

Restaurants in Sylvan Park neighborhood

Sylvanites are spoiled when it comes to great food within walking or biking distance. Charlotte Pike along the northern border is a busy commercial corridor with a variety of Nashville standards like Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (their downtown location has a line of tourists around the block 24/7, so locals know to visit this branch instead) and M. L. Rose Craft Beer and Burgers. Murphy Road on the southern border is a favorite for upscale bistro Park Cafe and comfort food staple McCabe Pub, among others.